Building More Inclusive Boards

"A Mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself."

Balance the Board was created in 2022, by two of the founders of Plan B Mentoring – a mentoring platform set up in 2017 to help women progress to senior leadership and board level. 

Its aim was simple; to encourage women to believe in themselves and their ability to contribute at the most senior levels, to the success of their organisations, through advice and support from objective mentors.​

Today, Balance the Board goes beyond gender diversity, supporting and embracing all under-represented communities, encouraging greater balance on boards and championing more inclusive cultures.​

It's mission is to equip talented individuals from all dimensions of diversity to be the best they can be, through empowerment, learning and challenge, by creating a network that will mentor and support the next generation of inclusive leaders. 

Learn More

- Next event: Accelerate Together Conference October 5 2026

- Next event: Accelerate Together Conference October 5 2026

  • Conversations in Confidence

    Our founder Holly Addison and the brilliant Emma Woods created Conversations in Confidence to make the hard-won career lessons of senior female leaders accessible to every woman, wherever she is in her journey. Each short episode distils honest, practical advice on how confidence is built, wobbles and is rebuilt over time.

  • Rise to Board

    Rise to Board is our partnership with Jeannette Linfoot's Rise Academy, created for women with the talent and ambition to reach the boardroom but without the networks or support to get there. Ten selected participants receive a 9-month leadership development programme, lifetime Rise Academy access, and executive mentoring from senior leaders in our network.

  • Mentoring Programme

    Our Cross-Sector Mentoring Programme is an evolution of the ‘traditional’ mentoring model - where the insights, guidance and learnings flow both ways, between mentor and mentee, in an environment of trust and openness. We have created a year-long learning experience focused on inclusion, equity and innovation.

Balance The Board 2026 Conference: Accelerate Together

Back for it’s fifth year, the Balance the Board Accelerate Together will return to London on Monday 5th October, 2026.

We’re delighted to announce that this year we are working in partnership with Vivienne Artz OBE from the FTSE Women Leaders Review Women's Leaders Review and Lee Chambers from Male Allies UK.

This year’s theme, “Accelerate Together,” will bring together senior leaders, change-makers, and advocates to challenge the status quo and champion inclusive leadership at the highest levels.

Find out more

What our members say

  • "The mentors have given me the confidence to focus on the progression of my career. Such a wealth of experience, success and talent across the entire sector willing to support and encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and maximise my potential. Not only has this benefited me but also my company. Since joining I have gained 2 promotions within the same employer. Thank you so much for the opportunity."

    —Anna, Mentee

  • "Thank you for a great session today - all the mentors were brilliant and gave me some really good insight and guidance.""

    —Dee, Mentee

  • "I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the mentors, I still can't quite believe it exists. I have to pinch myself that I've 'found' hospitality - the warmth, support and incredible generosity I've witnessed in only a few months - blows me away."

    —Emma, Mentee

  • "It has certainly given me a chance to reflect and think about how I grow and release my potential! Each of the mentors gave me valuable feedback and food for thought in the short time I spent with them."

    —Lauren, Mentee

  • "What struck me most during the launch session wasn’t just the calibre of the mentors or programme content. It was the shared recognition that talent alone isn’t always enough. Access to networks, sponsorship, development opportunities and people willing to open doors matters too. Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate to learn from people who have generously shared their time, advice and encouragement. This feels like another opportunity to continue learning, growing and challenging myself."

    —Emma, Mentee

Join the community!

Sign up to be part of the Balance the Board Community, and we will let you know about upcoming programmes and events.